The Mankato Free Press reports that the owners of Bluestem's favorite Mankato coffeeshop were the first same-sex couple to receive a marriage license in Blue Earth County.
Staff writer Edie Schmierbach reports in Same-sex couple is county's first to file for license:
Jenn Melby and Anna Kelley filed marriage papers Friday afternoon, even though the couple could have applied a day earlier at the Blue Earth County License Center.Thursday had been very hectic at The Coffee Hag, their Riverfront Drive shop, and the women wanted to go in person — together — to sign the papers at the center. And they definitely did not want to use the online option.
"This is way too important," Melby said. . . .
"When they were told they were the first ones (same-sex couple to apply for a license), someone behind them in line said 'I'm gonna call the media,' " Myers said. .. .
Staff at the center recognized the couple as being the owners of the coffee shop in Old Town.
"The people in the office were so excited for us," Kelley said. "It's a very empowering day — awesome."
The paper reports that the couple had exchanged vows about a month ago at a closed ceremony at the Coffee Hag, on the anniversary of Kelley's chemical addiction "recovery date.
Congratulations to the couple, who make a great cup of joe and serve tasty scones.
Couples are out, news is not
Meanwhile, the Northland News in Duluth and other media venues across the state continue to report that licenses for all loving couples are available only in the metro.
Why does this matter?
First, it's not accurate, pure and simple. Second, these news reports, uncorrected, will provide ammo to those who try to say marriage equality is only a metro thing. This is divisive, as well as simply factually wrong.
Moreover, Bluestem has to wonder why--if counties in Southern Minnesota from Pipestone to Minnesota can get this together, what's holding back the rest?
There are reports that some counties' software can't be set to allow for a delayed August 1 start for the marriages. Software vendors can be asked to fix that. As for the rest, the Free Press reported:
"It went very smoothly," Director Patty O'Connor said of the filing process. "All we had had to do was change a few words."
Olmsted County: Good to go in July?
At the Post Bulletin, Heather Carlson reports in Olmsted might not accept same-sex marriage applications until July:
While some Minnesota counties have begun accepting marriage license applications from same-sex couples, couples in southeastern Minnesota will have to wait a little longer.
Olmsted County Property Records and Licensing Director Mark Krupski said work still needs to be done to update the county's online marriage forms to change the categories of "groom" and "bride" to "applicant 1" and "applicant 2." He expects same-sex couples will be able to apply for licenses before the law takes effect Aug. 1.
"I believe at some point we certainly plan to do some early applications for the marriage license, but I don't expect that to happen until some point in July," Krupski said.
The article notes that Pipestone and Nicollet County have figured it out but leaves out Blue Earth County and other counties that have made the transition. Others are struggling with their software, Carlson reports:
For some counties, technology issues pose the biggest challenge. Goodhue County Deputy Recorder Brenda Gadient said her county's computer system automatically makes wedding licenses official after five days. Since same-sex weddings are not allowed under the law until Aug. 1, the county needs to figure out how to override its software. The county's forms also need to be updated.
At this point, Gadient said the county is not planning to allow same-sex couples to apply for marriage licenses early, but there is a possibility licenses might be made available at the end of July so couples can get married on Aug. 1.
Same-sex couples in southeastern Minnesota do have the option of applying for a marriage license in another county and then getting married in their home county.
Rochester-area couples could risk a trip on Highway 14 (pretty dangerous along some of the two-lane stretches) and get a license in Blue Earth County, then stop by the Coffee Hag for coffee and a slice. Online applications are also an option, as is heading north on Highway 52.
Carlson also reports that Project 515 is encouraging counties to make the switch before August 1:
Project 515, a group that fights for same-sex couples' rights, is urging other counties to allow same-sex couples to apply for a license early so they can get married on Aug. 1, said the group's communications director, Eric Jensen. Minnesota has a five-day waiting period for all marriages. That means same-sex coupes would have until July 26 to apply for a license or would have to get the waiting period waived by a judge in order to get married on Aug. 1.
"We definitely want to work with them and encourage them to make the process as easy for same-sex couples as it has been for other couples over the years," Jensen said.
Check out the entire article at the Post Bulletin.
Photo: Marriage equality photo from the Coffe Hag's Facebook page. You so want to like them.
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